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Enough with the facebook clones already!

By: Qwaider

On:Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:30:50 PM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (4815) times

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Rated 4.6/5 stars (71 votes cast)

This morning, I received an invitation to join yet another new social network. This time, it's a Jordanian made Facebook clone called PetraBook.

I relaly love to support start ups and great new ideas, please stress on "NEW" ideas.

Not only that, just recap my older article on why I don't trust Arab online services.

Few weeks back it was MuslimFacebook, and a few Arab-book clones. Quite frankly, I'm getting a tad annoyed with all of these. Here's why

But first, If there was one thing I would add to "why I don't trust Arab online services" it would be this, when "implementing" someone else's code, even open source, I have no guarantee or security audit of any form that the source owner didn't add back doors to gain unlawful access to my personal data.

Now why I am annoyed with these clones?

Because they miss the whole point!

The success if Facebook is partially due to it's own perpetual success. Take a minute to think about that. I'll explain...

The larger the network gets, the more you can find and connect with your friends. All over the world. Because of it's success as part of the pop-culture, people start promoting it, spreading it, and eventually becoming reluctant to move away from it to some new site with few low user fellowship

Even if ALL of Jordan joined PetraBook, it will continue to be a local thing. The world might not even be remotely interested in it.

Another reason why I'm sick of these clones is the fact that just about every other social network including the mighty MySpace and the highly powered Orkut or the long lasting Hi5, can't come close to the success of Facebook. However, that doesn't mean that someone can't beat facebook! Look at the success of a simple new idea like Twitter. It's so simple it's stupid. But it's different enough for people to enjoy both. Facebook AND Twitter.

I think it's about time to stop wasting our efforts in imitating success and failing miserably doing so. Just like that 15 or so social network "projects" that were started (and failed) in Jordan.

Sorry if I'm a bit harsh here, but seriously, stop wasting your time and efforts on problems that have already been solved, and tackle the big blue world with something new

Memories....

#1
jaraad
Said
On: 6/18/2010 3:37:50 AM
SpamScore=[-0.1]

I like the saying "Innovate don't imitate". For people who are after making money they have to know that they have to come up with new ideas or at least improve an existing one.

#2
Tinzia Menezes
Said
On: 7/2/2010 6:06:59 AM
SpamScore=[1]

Awesome post, that's exactly how I feel about clones and social networks in general. That's why I cancelled my account on Orkut - with no regrets. I mean, the original idea of social networks is fine... they allow us to keep in touch with everybody we like and find old friends easily. But I don't like the lack of privacy at all and sometimes we just don't want to be found. I also think it is annoying to know every tiny detail of people's lives. What someone is having for lunch. How long my friend spends in the shower. It's like a 24/7 Big Brother. Then when I meet these friends in person, what are we supposed to talk about, if their personal websites have already told everything? The over exposure makes people so obvious and uninteresting that there's no space for a conversation anymore.

Anyway, your blog is very interesting. The type of exposure I love: thoughts, memories, humor and poetry. Keep up the good work.

Regards from Brazil. :)